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Scroll down to see tips, recipes, Web references and other stuff--including some funnies--we talk about on the show.

Radon Perspective

There is no "evidence" that increased radon exposure at low levels results in increased lung cancer.

On the contrary, there is substantial evidence that increased radon exposure actually DECREASES lung cancer risk (the higher the radon, the lower the lung cancer risk). The definitive study on this subject is "Test of the Linear-No Threshold Theory of Radiation Carcinogenesis for Inhaled Radon Decay Products," by Dr. Bernard L. Cohen, Health Physics, Vol. 68, Issue 2, pp. 157-174.

The abstract of the above article is reproduced below.

Another article that you might find useful is "Is Radiation Good for You?" by Will Hively...

Radon: A Different Perspective

The Radon Issue
After reading the very detailed article about radon in the Gazette last Sunday - followed by Mike Biles' and Charles J. Robinove's very thoughtful and accurate letters on Tuesday, Aug. 29 - I decided to weigh in on the discussion to give Mike's and Charles' letters added credibility. 
I have been lecturing about this topic for almost 20 years, ever since Mr. Stanley Watras set off the alarms at the Limerick Nuclear Generating Station in Pottstown, Pa., on his way to work.  A quick check of his house found radon levels off the chart, almost 300 times the EPA action level of 4 picocuries per liter.  That led to a classic EPA quote, "Radon, the environmental problem posing the highest risk of...

Federal Pacific Elecric Panels

Concerned about Federal Pacific electric panels?  Click on:

http://www.inspect-ny.com/fpe/fpepanel.htm

 

Polybutylene (gray plastic) Water Piping

If you have that gray, plastic water pipe--called POLYBUTYLENE--that was popular in the 80's, you need to know some of the troubles associated with it.  Here's a link:

http://www.pbpipe.com/index1.htm

 

Aluminum Wiring

If your house has aluminum wiring (popular from the mid 60's to the mid 70's), don't ignore it.  Here's a link to give you some perspective:

http://www.inspect-ny.com/aluminum/aluminum.htm

 

Septic System Tips

Thanks to Arrowhead Septic of Colorado Springs, here are a few tips to keep your system functioning as designed:

* Spread laundry loads throughout the week.
* No harsh chemicals into the system, like solvents or paint.

* Use disposers sparingly
* Do not flush paper towels, cigarettes, diapers, gum, feminine   products, grease or condoms.
* Don't discharge output from your water softener into the    system.  Salt kills friendly bacteria in the tank.
* Keep trees and bushes off the leach field.
* Don't drive on the leach field.
* Keep ground water away from the leach field.
* No extra so-called enzymes or bacteria additives.
*...

Dip Tube Troubles

The dip tube in a water heater directs incoming cold water to the bottom of the tank, where the water rises as it becomes warmer. Without it, your water heater will emit lukewarm water not long after turning on the faucet.

Most water heater manufacturers purchase their dip tubes from one supplier. Only recently has it been discovered that dip tubes manufactured from 1993 to 1996 were affected by a change in the manufacturing process.

The disintegrating dip tubes have clogged faucets, shower heads, and dishwashers. As the tube dissolves, water heater water turns cooler; unsuspecting homeowners typically respond by simply turning up the thermostat. Currently, many plumbers aware of the situation...

Treated Lumber

June 4, 2002

CCA treated lumber for residential markets to be phased out

Chromated copper arsenate (CCA) as a treatment for lumber used in consumer products and the residential building market is being phased out by Dec. 31, 2003.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the wood treating industry announced a voluntary decision in February 2002 to phase out CCA, says Tom Milton, forest products specialist with the University of Minnesota Extension Service. Milton says CCA has accounted for a huge share of pressure treated wood in the U.S., especially over the last 30 years. Over 78 percent of the 728 million cubic feet of wood treated in 1997 was treated with CCA.

"CCA is a registered pesticide," Milton says. "Considering the volume that's been...